Beekeeping: Reaping sweet rewards

USAID, local organisations join hands to revive honey business in Swat.

SWAT:

An international donor agency and local organisations have joined hands to revive the beekeeping business in the picturesque Swat valley that was affected by man-made and natural disasters during the last four years.

In a bid to revive the only livelihood of the conflict-stricken people, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with Provincial Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority (PRRSA) and a local non-government organisation (NGO), Hujra (Holistic Understanding for Justified Research and Action) distributed micro grants among the farmers in Swat on Monday.

The grant distribution will be extended and completed by May 15.

Around 3,000 beekeepers, who were affected by the 2010 floods, received bee boxes with complete tool kits through micro grants to restore their only means of livelihood. The grants cover bee-hives and tools required to assist them in re-establishing bee colonies over the next six months.

The beekeeping is considered to be the oldest business in Swat valley according to NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Programme). It generates an income of about Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 per year. However, prior to the floods and terrorism, the average income was about Rs120,000 seasonally.

Mr Zahir, who had suffered at the hands of the floods, told the Express Tribune at the time of the distribution, “I received the assistance at a crucial time, and will definitely help in restoring my business. It will truly help in earning my living”.

Another beneficiary, Zaman Wali, who has been in the business since childhood, said, “The floods washed away my honey-bee farm and left me with nothing. The assistance will help restore the only means of livelihood for my children.”

In coordination with PaRRSA and implementing partners, USAID Entrepreneurs Pakistan Project (UEPP) has identified 10 priority union councils in Swat district where honey production has significantly reduced in the wake of 2010 flash floods. UEPP is being executed by MEDA with the help of local partners and is designed to increase the incomes of 75,000 micro entrepreneurs, with particular focus on women.

A Hujra spokesperson, Zahoor Khan highlighted beekeeping as an important means of living for the people of Swat and said USAID is making concerted efforts to reconstruct their businesses. “This assistance from the American people will considerably help in improving the economic situation of the affected communities and bring prosperity to the region in the longer run,” he added.

The business was most profitable during the regime of the late ruler of Swat, Miangul Jahanzeb and gradually declined due to lack of awareness.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2011.